November 8th, 2023
50 Years Ago, David Bowie Revisited His Musical Foundation with “Pinups” A new half-speed master celebrates the album’s anniversaryBy: Dylan Peggin
“Of all the shows on this tour, this particular show will remain with us the longest because not only is it the last show of the tour, but it’s the last show that we’ll ever do.”David Bowie made this closing statement at London’s Hammersmith Odeon in July 3rd, 1973. After spending ten years joining various groups, having to change his name to avoid confusion with The Monkees’ Davy Jones, penning novelty records, and straying from the “one-hit-wonder” stigma of “Space... Read More
Comments: 0November 7th, 2023
Linkwitz LX521.4MG Speaker/Amplifier System Maybe the Best Seat(s) in the HouseBy: Ken Redmond
Various versions of the Linkwitz LX521 speaker have captivated my interest since I first heard it at RMAF 2012. In subsequent years, I prioritized visiting the Linkwitz room, where I would be consistently impressed by the speaker's ability to create an excellent sound stage and perform remarkably well in various rooms.Siegfried Linkwitz is renowned among loudspeaker designers for introducing several revolutionary advancements in the audio industry, the most... Read More
Comments: 22November 6th, 2023
One of Neil Young's Best Gets a one and a half LP Reissue though only forty seven when he recorded this, Young was in a reflective, nostalgic moodBy: Michael Fremer
One of Neil Young's finest, most reflective and at times sad and occasionally depressing albums, Harvest Moon released in 1992 finds the then 47 year old looking back. On the opener "Unknown Legend" he's remembering observing a waitress in a diner who a few years later he'd marry. About Pegi Young he sang "Never saw a woman look finer/I used to order just to watch her float across the floor". On "From Hank to Hendrix" he... Read More
Comments: 12November 5th, 2023
Warsaw Audio Video Show Day One Coverage only a few debuts at the show but lots to seeBy: Michael Fremer
I spent all of day one at the sports arena where most of the exhibitors were "mainstream" audio companies from around the world. There were fewer "big" exhibits this year—no giant speakers from Gryphon, Wilson, Magico and others. The only really big one was Borresen's flagship M6 and it delivered on its promise. Exhibits of mostly "down to earth" products (still priced in the stratosphere) was a welcome trend. In terms of product... Read More
Comments: 0November 5th, 2023
What About the $29.95 "Aja" Cut at AA Mastering by Alex Abrash Using BG's Digital Master? your dime dancing will get you a dime pressingBy: Michael Fremer
Only covering the sound here and the news is not good for a few reasons. First, the sound is bass-heavy, generally "thick" and unpleasant and the perspective is flat. If you bought the UHQR or have an original pressing and don't want to spend $150, you are all set. The 192/24 Qobuz stream sourced from Bernie Grundman's digital file produced using the same tape he used to cut UHQR lacquers sounds far superior in every way to this vinyl edition. The... Read More
Comments: 19November 4th, 2023
"In The Groove"—The Vinyl Record And Turntable Revolution oh my, what a messBy: Michael Fremer
A publicist recently pitched me this just released book, describing it as a celebration of the 75th anniversary of the first commercial LP and claiming it to be an "authoritative, highly illustrated, and multi-faceted look at the history and culture of vinyl record collecting and turntables." Five authors are listed: Gillian Garr, Martin Popoff, Matt Aniss, Richie Unterberger and Ken Micallef. I'd heard of two: Richie Unterberger and Ken Micallef.... Read More
Comments: 36November 4th, 2023
Blue Note Classic Does Art Blakey’s ‘Mosaic’ Hard bop staple returns in vivid all-analog stereoBy: Malachi Lui
Recorded in 1961 and released in 1962, Mosaic comes from an immensely prolific period of Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers. Although the group’s lineup changed frequently, from mid-1961 through early 1964 it was unusually stable. The band was also one of Blakey’s very best: Wayne Shorter on tenor, Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Cedar Walton on piano, and Jymie Merritt on bass. The only change was when Reggie Workman replaced Merritt in 1962,... Read More
Comments: 2November 3rd, 2023
'Rufus Reid Presents Caelan Cardello' Out Now! ...and selling faster than expected!By: Tracking Angle
It’s official: Rufus Reid Presents Caelan Cardello is out today via the newly established Liam Records! Executive produced by Tracking Angle editor Michael Fremer and co-produced by Robyatt Audio's Robin Wyatt, this album captures the exciting duo of Rufus Reid and Caelan Cardello performing live at the Klavierhaus, New York City. It’s available at Acoustic Sounds, Music Direct, Elusive Disc, and Michael 45 (also seemingly available at iMusic and Disk Union). CDs... Read More
Comments: 12November 3rd, 2023
John Wilson's Magnificent New "Oklahoma"! World Premier Recording of the Entire ScoreBy: Paul Seydor
This is the first time in its eighty-year history that the full score of Rodger's and Hammerstein's landmark musical Oklahoma!, including every song, dance, and instrumental interlude, has been recorded absolutely note complete, including the original orchestrations. The result is revelatory.
Read More Comments: 14November 2nd, 2023
The Beatles' "Now and Then" Music Video Details And Global Premier Plans PETER JACKSON’S MUSIC VIDEO DIRECTORIAL DEBUT PREMIERES WORLDWIDE TOMORROW - FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3 - AT 1PM GMT / 9AM EDT / 6AM PDTBy: Tracking Angle
London – November 2, 2023 – As announced last Thursday, October 26, the last Beatles song, “Now And Then” is out today worldwide. Apple Corps Ltd./Capitol/UMe are pleased to share details and updated premiere plans for the song’s evocative new music video, which Peter Jackson has directed in his first foray into music video production. The “Now And Then” music video will premiere worldwide tomorrow (Friday, November 3) at 1pm GMT / 9am EDT / 6am PDT on The Beatles’... Read More
Comments: 20November 2nd, 2023
Audio Technology Switzerland Delivers First Units of New Nagra HD PHONO Phono Stage four years of R&D produces pure Class A dual-mono 100% vacuum tube designBy: Tracking Angle
Romanel, Switzerland – Thursday November 2nd 2023. Following more than four years of R&D efforts, Nagra’s new ambitious phono stage is finally in production and first units are shipping worldwide.The HD PHONO is the ideal companion to the Reference turntable and Reference MC cartridge and when all three are combined they form the ultimate analog source. Nagra, the reference in analog tape reproduction now offers a reference playback solution for LP lovers.It is... Read More
Comments: 3October 31st, 2023
‘1989 (Taylor’s Version)’ Searches For A Sound We’ve Heard Before New re-recording of Taylor Swift’s most important album falls shortBy: Malachi Lui
In 2022, one in every 25 vinyl LPs sold in the US was a Taylor Swift record. That’s 1.7 million LP sales across her catalog last year, almost 945,000 of which came from her latest album, Midnights. Swift’s vinyl success not only represents her continuing fame, but also her smart marketing tactics and ability to still sell albums. Midnights comes in four cover variants, which with the associated wall mount forms, on the back, a clock. To many artists and consumers,... Read More
Comments: 20October 30th, 2023
When All Your Dime Dancing Is Through You'll Order UHQR "Aja" more detail as requestedBy: Michael Fremer
When I visited Paul Gold's Salt Mastering recently, I asked him why he named his facility "Salt Mastering" and he replied that mastering should be like using salt to season food: you shouldn't taste the salt, it should be used judiciously, only to bring out the intrinsic flavors of the ingredients.Bernie Grundman's original Aja mastering certainly lived up to that mastering definition, which is why it's considered a great sounding... Read More
Comments: 28October 28th, 2023
Will We Ever Understand Sly Stone? His new memoir ‘Thank You (Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin)’ brings up more questions than answersBy: Malachi Lui
What happened to Sly Stone? His new memoir, Thank You (Falletinme Be Mice Elf Agin), purports to tell all. Co-written with Ben Greenman and Sly's once-girlfriend, now-manager Arlene Hirschkowitz, Thank You is the first time the now 80-year-old, interview-reluctant artist has told his side of the story: his formative years, his rise to superstardom, and the long decline that followed.
Read More Comments: 3